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This Day In Sports History (February 3rd) – Super Bowl XXXVI

It was on this day in 2002 that Super Bowl XXVI between the St. Louis Rams and the New England Patriots took place at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. Despite entering the game as 14-point underdogs, the Patriots would shock the world by beating the Rams 20-17 in one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history.

The Rams entered the game with the league’s most potent offense, but they were shut down by a solid Patriots’ defense and some great game planning from coach Bill Belichick. That allowed New England to enter the final quarter leading 17-3, but two Kurt Warner touchdowns (one passing and one rushing) would tie things up with only 1:30 left to play. That was just enough time for Pats’ quarterback Tom Brady to drive his offense down the field and set up kicker Adam Vinatieri for a 48-yard game-winning field goal, which he made with no time remaining on the clock.

Brady would be named the game’s MVP as he led the Patriots’ franchise to their first ever Super Bowl victory. They would record two more over the next three years, earning them the reputation as both “a dynasty” and “the team of the decade.”